The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-19
IN MEXICO.
A Tradition Concerning the Seal of the Re-
public-How Pulque Is Made.

Correspondence Of the Indiana polls Journal.
CHIHUAHUA. Mexico, June 15.-The great
seal of the Republic of Mexico bears
the design Of an eagle standing upon a cactus
plant, with serpent grasped in his claws. This
design also appears stamped upon every silver
dollar issued from her minis. Hlstory-or more
truthfuly speak,ng-tradition informs US that
about the beginning of the thirteenth century
a wandering tribe of Indians from the far North
found their way into Mexico. and, year after
year, keeping up their customary migration
enduring many hardships. meeting with various
casualties, and for period being held in slavery
finally, about 1925, reached the borders of the
lakes which surround the present city of Mexico.
In the early morning they beheld, perched upon
the stem of a prickly pear, or cactus, which shot
out from the crevice of a rock that was washed
by the waves, royal eagle, of great size and
beauty. with serpent in his falcons, and his
broad wings open to the rising sum- This vision
at the lakes on that lovely morning in 1925 was
hailed by the oracles, not only as an suspicious
omen, but Indicative ALSO of the site of the
future city and permanent home of this hitherto
nomadic race of people.
The cactus grows wild in Mexico in almost
endless forms of growth while in some localities
certain kinds are cultivated for the profit to be
derived through their production. The maguey,
n plant OF the cactus family. Is one OF the most
valuable of the products of Mexico, and the uses
to which 1t Is nut by these people seem almost
Infinite in variety. A fugitive paragraph cut
from newspaper furnishes partial list
''The maguey seems special gift of nature to
supply the ample wants of the native. Its
coarse cloth makes his first, last and only gar
ment, and its strong rope ties down his coffin
lid. The fiber of the leaf, beaten and spun,
forms fine and beautiful thread glossy as silk
In texture, which resembles linen when woven
into fabrics. It is manufactured into coarse
cloth. r.
ing, etc. The rope made from 1t Is called
MANILA hemp, and is of uncommon strength and
excellence Cut into coarse straws it forms the
brooms and whitewash brushes of the country,
and, as ubstitute for bristles it is n ade into
scrub brooms, busting brushes and the tiny
brooms which take the place of combs among
the poorer people. Beautiful fancy baskets,
money bags, purses, satchels, and thousand
toys, trinkets and ornaments from its
fiber. If your horse has sprain your donkey
a bruise, a maeuey leaf. pounded and bound
upon the injured member. is certain
cure. The pointed thorns, which terminate
the gigantic leaves are strong as nails and sharp
needles, and to this day as in primitive times,
they serve for nails, needles and pins. Upon
paper made OF maguey fiber the early Mexicans
painted their picture histories and nieroglyphi
figures. Every Mexican estate, in certain dis
tricts cultivates more or less maguey. The
mighty plants answer for hedges and mark the
boundaries of ranches, two rows-with their
enormous leaves and bayouet-like thorns-mak-
ing an impenetrable fence"
In short, the maguey is food drink, clothing,
medicine and writing material for the Mexican.
1t has well been called "a miracle of nature"
and it is probable that she has never in any
other way, lavishly provided, in such a con-
venient form, anything from which man can
produce so many things to sustain life and add
to his comfort and convenience at home.
One species OF the maguey plant furnishes
drink known as ''pulQue," which before fermen-
tation takes place. is not intoxicating and not
unpleasant in taste It presents milky appear
ance. and is slightly tart and puneent. Fermen-
ta:ion occurs in a few days after production. and
pulque then. like hard cider" will produce in
toxication if taken in sufficient quantity. In
some localities this drink IS quite extensively
used in this country IS the malt beer
largely consumed throughout the United
States. In the city of Mexico. where the water
is of poor quality pulque is almost universally
furnished by the city, and using the infer
mented pulque solely beverage.
One of the richest citizens of the Mexican cap
itol realized his immense fortune from the sale
of pulque, being the proprietor of several retail
shops in various quarters of the city. His in
come ia estimated at over $50 600 per apnum.
When it is known that estate of one thou
million plants may be constantly fourishng in
their several stages of growth, and that during
the entire time there will be sufficient number
of matured magueys to furnish about four thou
sand gallons of pulQue daily. it will be quite
parent that there is a good m argin for profit in
the production Of this popular beverage. which
is worth about eight cents gallon AS it flows
from the plant.
tits said that over forty thousand gallons of
pulque are sold and drunk in the City of Mexico
daily. From the duty charged for the privilege
of bringing this liquor within the corporate Inn
its, the municipal treasury derives income
amounting to 81, 900 day. D. W. G.